In this Book

summary

Everything is subject to a lifecycle. In the field of energy, the obvious question is, “Where are we in the lifecycle of fossil fuels?” Competitive technology for sourcing renewable energy, marketplace readiness, and pressures from climate change all signal that the fossil fuel era is coming to an end. This book explains the alternatives and suggests when and how change will occur. Employing a global perspective and detailed analysis, it provides recommendations on policies and strategies to make a smooth and wholesale transition to renewables before the continued use of fossil fuels becomes economically and socially disruptive.

Gregory Meehan’s overview eschews politics in favor of comprehensive coverage and logical explanation. He addresses economic, environmental, and security concerns and does not shy away from illuminating limitations and problems with various energy sources. Meehan’s dogged pursuit of the current state of knowledge and energy practices around the world shows that different answers are proving viable for different social and environmental contexts. This is the most wide-ranging and thorough introduction to the world’s energy issues and choices to date.

Lecture and exercise guides available upon request. 

Click here to hear the Friends of the Marriott Library event with Gregory Meehan. https://youtu.be/YqmNhEN09_c

Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
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  1. Title Page, Copyright
  2. pp. i-iv
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  1. Table of Contents
  2. pp. v-vi
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  1. Preface
  2. pp. vii-x
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  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. xi-xii
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  1. Definition of Energy and Power
  2. pp. xiii-xvi
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  1. Chapter 1. The Seven Signals Heralding an Energy Transition
  2. pp. 1-20
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  1. Part I. The Sources of Energy We Draw Upon: Alternative Energies to the Front
  1. Chapter 2. Fossil Fuels: Stored Solar Energy
  2. pp. 23-32
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  1. Chapter 3. Nuclear Energy and the Mass Defect
  2. pp. 33-41
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  1. Chapter 4. The Power behind Renewables
  2. pp. 42-59
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  1. Chapter 5. The Potential and Toll of Alternative Energy Sources
  2. pp. 60-70
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  1. Part II. Age-Old Technologies Find Application: Seeds of Innovation, Dormant for Centuries, Are Now Germinating
  1. Chapter 6. Technology Introduction
  2. pp. 73-77
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  1. Chapter 7. Solar
  2. pp. 78-88
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  1. Chapter 8. Wind
  2. pp. 89-95
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  1. Chapter 9. Nuclear
  2. pp. 96-106
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  1. Chapter 10. Advanced Energy Storage Solutions
  2. pp. 107-121
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  1. Chapter 11. Smart Grids
  2. pp. 122-129
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  1. Chapter 12. Transportation
  2. pp. 130-145
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  1. Chapter 13. Heat Generation
  2. pp. 146-156
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  1. Chapter 14. Technological Readiness
  2. pp. 157-164
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  1. Part III. A Scan of Country Energy Plans: The Globe We Share
  1. Chapter 15. Fossil Fuel Wealth and Energy Consumption Framework
  2. pp. 167-182
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  1. Chapter 16. The United States
  2. pp. 183-198
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  1. Chapter 17. Canada
  2. pp. 199-204
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  1. Chapter 18. Brazil
  2. pp. 205-208
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  1. Chapter 19. Germany, Norway, Spain, and Italy
  2. pp. 209-217
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  1. Chapter 20. Russia
  2. pp. 218-222
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  1. Chapter 21. Saudi Arabia
  2. pp. 223-226
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  1. Chapter 22. Japan
  2. pp. 227-232
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  1. Chapter 23. China
  2. pp. 233-239
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  1. Chapter 24. India
  2. pp. 240-244
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  1. Chapter 25. South Korea
  2. pp. 245-249
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  1. Chapter 26. Country Roundup
  2. pp. 250-260
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  1. Part IV. History, Inertia, Interventions, and Adaptation: Energy Policy Conundrums
  1. Chapter 27. Our Response to Limited Resources
  2. pp. 263-276
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  1. Chapter 28. Global Energy Price and Cost Points
  2. pp. 277-285
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  1. Chapter 29. Energy Policy Tool Kit
  2. pp. 286-307
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  1. Chapter 30. Four Repressive Forces on the Use of Fossil Fuels
  2. pp. 308-313
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  1. Chapter 31. The Only Path Forward Departs from the Use of Fossil Fuels
  2. pp. 314-324
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  1. Appendix A. Primary Energy Consumption Factor and Fossil Fuel Wealth Factor
  2. pp. 325-334
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  1. Appendix B. Energy Platforms of Presidential Candidates 1992–2016
  2. pp. 335-342
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  1. Selected References
  2. pp. 343-364
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 365-374
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